Moncton shooting: RCMP release names of 3 slain officers

The names of all three RCMP constables killed in the shooting rampage on the streets of Moncton, N.B., on Wednesday night were released this morning.

In a statement Friday, the officers were identified as:

- Const. David Ross, 32, from Victoriaville, Que.

- Const. Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, 45, who was born in Boulogne-Billancourt, France.

- Const. Douglas James Larche, 40, from Saint John.

"This is a trying time for our members as we have lost three of our own and two more are hospitalized,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown said in the statement.

“I commend our members for their dedication and professionalism as they were able to stay focused on the task at hand and getting results throughout this ordeal bringing the situation to a quick end. The work of our members was professional and effective. They deserve my utmost respect.”

Ross, a Quebec-born Mountie who was posted to New Brunswick in 2007, was a married father of a 19-month-old with another baby on the way, his mother-in-law told CBC News on Thursday.

"This is the most horrifying, difficult experience," she said.

Police released few details about the slain officers at Friday's news conference, but Brown said Larche received a commander's commendation in 2008 for saving the life of an unconscious baby.

Gevaudan joined the RCMP in Regina, Brown said, and was posted to New Brunswick in 2008.

'The start of a very long road'

Brown said the two officers wounded in the shootings both underwent surgery on Thursday.

“Both are recovering well and both are to be commended for the role that they played in this particular incident as well," he said.

“This is the start of a very long road for all of us … My thoughts and my prayers continually remain with the families of … the fallen officers who died in the line of duty, and our recovering officers. We should also include the members that evening who were on scene with those individuals. They continue to work through this process.”

Police apprehended the 24-year-old man suspected in the shootings early Friday morning.

Justin Bourque, from Moncton, was found in a wooded area near the intersection of Wheeler Boulevard and Mountain Road.

He surrendered without incident and remains in police custody. Police say criminal charges are pending.